Relief as bodybuilder is jailed over partner's murder

Monique Lezsak's friend Jacqueline Schwarcz said the family was relieved at Lindemann's sentence. (Diego Fedele/AAP PHOTOS)

Supporters of a mother who was violently murdered by her bodybuilder boyfriend in front of her children are relieved a judge "threw the book" at him.

Sven Lindemann was jailed for up to 31 years on Wednesday for the murder of Monique Lezsak at her Melbourne home in May 2023, hours after she broke up with him.

The 52-year-old stabbed Ms Lezsak 17 times using six different knives during the violent and frenzied attack.

Sven Lindemann (left) arrives at the Supreme Court (file image)
Sven Lindemann (left) has been jailed for 31 years after pleading guilty to murdering his partner.

Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth said it was clear Lindemann was motivated by rage, jealousy and a sense of entitlement.

"This was not a momentary loss of self-control," she said.

"You were clearly determined to kill Ms Lezsak."

Ms Lezsak's young daughter, known in court under the pseudonym Lily, heard yelling from a bedroom ensuite on the morning of May 30 and ran to see her mother being attacked.

Lindemann stabbed his partner, strangled her and dragged her through the house.

Lily tried to stop Lindemann, kicking him and twice pulling the knife out of his hands, but he kept grabbing more weapons.

He used six knives in total, breaking two of them, as he inflicted the fatal stab wounds to Ms Lezsak's head, neck and chest.

Lily also suffered five wounds during the attack. 

Monique Lezsak's friend Jacqueline Schwarcz speaks to the media
Jacqueline Schwarcz said the devastation Lindemann caused was unfixable.

Lindemann left Ms Lezsak on the kitchen floor and went to the bedroom where he made a $70,000 bank transaction and tried to call his ex-wife.

Meanwhile, a distressed Lily called triple zero while cradling her bleeding mother, telling the operator there was a murderer in the house.

Police and paramedics arrived but Ms Lezsak could not be revived.

Lindemann was found in his bedroom with a self-inflicted stab wound to his chest, telling officers he didn't want to be saved and Ms Lezsak had ruined his life.

Justice Hollingworth said his actions after the murder were "particularly calculated".

"It demonstrates a concern for the financial position of yourself or your children, rather than the welfare of Ms Lezsak, Lily or their family members," she said.

The justice almost almost broke down as she spoke of Lily's actions, telling Lindemann he was lucky he didn't injure the young girl more seriously.

"What she did to try and save her mother was unbelievably brave," Justice Hollingworth said.

"Hopefully, as she grows up, Lily will come to understand that there was nothing more that she could have done to save her mother."

Monique Lezsak's family and friends leave the Supreme Court
Ms Schwarcz said Ms Lezsak's family and friends would continue to support her two young children.

The judge said the murder of a domestic partner was an extreme form of family violence, and Lindemann's offending was aggravated by the fact that Lily, her twin brother and Ms Lezsak's mother were all present.

She found Lindemann had no genuine remorse for his actions and he continued to blame Ms Lezsak, instead of taking responsibility.

But the judge accepted Lindemann entered a guilty plea at a very early stage and his prospects of rehabilitation would improve over the course of his sentence.

She jailed him for 31 years but he will be eligible for parole after serving 25.

Lindemann remained emotionless as his sentence was handed down and he was led out of the courtroom.

Ms Lezsak's longtime friend, Jacqueline Schwarcz, said her supporters were relieved Justice Hollingworth "threw the book" at Lindemann.

"But there is no amount of punishment that will be enough or replace our loss," she told reporters outside court.

"The destruction that has ensued and devastation it has caused is unfixable."

Ms Schwarcz said Ms Lezsak's family and friends would continue to support her two young children.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

Lifeline 13 11 14

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store